On The Hop – grand final edition

There was a great attendance at training last night of both supporters and ex-players to observe the final training run, and to encourage players for their big games on Saturday.

Mark Kruger’s father, Leon, arrived from South Australia early in the week to join in the build-up to the Grand Final and has been a welcome face around the club and town. Leon is the games record holder at West Mount Gambier Football Club in South Australia.

A very historic day for the ‘Roos will take place this Saturday with five teams taking part in their respective grand final games, as well as the senior team playing off in consecutive grand finals. Some of the netballers have taken part in grand finals but generally speaking it has been an unfamiliar process for quite a few footballers.

More exciting ‘Roos news unfolded this week when Jack Irvine was awarded with the runner-up best and fairest in the AFL Riverina under 17s competition. Irvine has a stellar season and his award was a great achievement considering he also played seven games with the AFL NSW/ACT Rams, and some games in the ‘Roos first grade.

It nearly goes without saying he would have taken out the best and fairest award if playing a full season with his home team.

The under 17s will go against Turvey Park this Sunday in the Preliminary Final, for their chance to take on Wagga Tigers in the Grand Final on 22nd September.

This Saturday will also see some landmark games for senior players Scott Blackwell, Michael and Ian Oliver, and possibly Pat Robinson. All have been stalwarts of the club for quite some time with the Oliver brothers and Robinson also player junior football with the club. These players would like nothing better than to go out with premiership medallions.

There has been some speculation that Oliver and Robinson may be making appearances in the Reserves next season but this has yet to be confirmed, but Blackwell is adamant it will be his last and will be pulling out all stops to make sure it will be a victory on this crucial day.

The Magpies have been happy to label themselves the ‘underdogs’ in the first grade, but one can safely assume this is some sort of play to mislead Temora. The readers can be assured that this will not happen with Kruger carrying out much analysis on the opposition and leaving nothing to chance.

Approximately 100 players will take part in finals and grand finals in the Blue & White this weekend, and the Kangaroos have won 45 out of 46 games played at Nixon Park this year. This is a good indication of the success the club has enjoyed this year, leading up to the grand finals.

Teams will be coached on Saturday as follows:

Senior football: Mark Kruger (coach), James Durham (bench coach), Darryl Harpley (manager), Chris Block (captain)

Reserves: Jonathon Breust (coach), Noel Block (assistant coach and runner)

Under 17s: Rick Pratt (coach), Brian McRae (manager)

A Grade: Jacinta Watson & Kaylene Cornford (coaches), Karen Galloway (manager)

B Grade: Kerrie Morton (coach), Margo Townsend (manager)

C Grade: Georgia Mathew (coach, Angela Hughes (manager)